Kishwaukee Preserve – Plein Air May 10

May 23, 2012

May 10, 2012 – Kishwaukee Preserve, Oil on Canvas Panel 8″ x 10″

Arrived at this park and headed to a spot that I was certain would hold good inspiration for the day. Upon arrival nothing at the spot jumped out at me. I drove around the park and found this spot. I had to park my car on the other side of the hill and walk back.

As I painted, ground squirrels skittered around. At first it startled me until I realized what the noise was. Soon it was somewhat comical. They would dart around and occasionally stop in sight to look at me and perhaps to see if I was threat to them. As time wore on they moved closer and closer, most likely to see if I would throw them a few morsels of food. I did not.

I also had to contend with the sunlight through the trees. Not for the sake of my design but for the inconvenience of having the sun glaring on the canvas and palette. I felt as though I was doing a dance with my paint box as every five to ten minutes I had to move to stay in the shade.